Governance and Political Entrepreneurship in India: Case Studies of Gujarat and Bihar

Abstract:

Can leaders move beyond religion and caste politics to focus on good governance? Is there any link between good governance and political entrepreneurship? In India, Gujarat and Bihar are perceived as states that focus on development and improving governance. This dissertation explores changes in governance and electoral politics in these states between 2002-2014. Using mixed methods, this study examines how leaders in these states created winning coalitions and achieved electoral victories. It examines whether Gujarat’s Narendra Modi and Bihar’s Nitish Kumar can be termed political entrepreneurs based on a threefold criteria of innovations in (i) policy making, (ii) brand building and (iii) creating electorates.